Evelyn Pickering De Morgan Paintings

Evelyn De Morgan, born Evelyn Pickering, was an English painter whose works are associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement. She was born on August 30, 1855, in London, to a upper-middle-class family. From a young age, she showed a keen interest in art and pursued her passion despite the social constraints placed on women in Victorian society.

Evelyn enrolled at the Slade School of Fine Art at University College London in 1873, becoming one of the first women to receive formal art training there. Her early work was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites, a group of English painters, poets, and critics, founded in 1848 by William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The movement sought a return to the abundant detail, intense colors, and complex compositions of Quattrocento Italian art.

Throughout her career, De Morgan focused on allegorical subjects and was known for her use of spiritual themes, often emphasizing the struggle between light and darkness. She also depicted themes of female empowerment, social reform, and the consequences of war. Her paintings are characterized by their vibrant colors, detailed depiction of fabrics and use of symbolism.

De Morgan was also influenced by her marriage to the ceramicist William De Morgan, whom she married in 1887. The couple shared an interest in spiritualism and theosophy, which further influenced her subject matter and artistic direction.

Despite her connections with the Pre-Raphaelites, Evelyn De Morgan developed a unique style that also incorporated influences from the Italian Renaissance and classical mythology. She was prolific throughout her career, although she did not achieve widespread recognition during her lifetime, partly due to the prevailing attitudes towards female artists.

Evelyn Pickering De Morgan passed away on May 2, 1919. It was only after her death that her work began to receive more attention, and she is now recognized as an important figure in the context of women artists of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Her works are held in several public collections, including the De Morgan Foundation, which preserves the legacy of both Evelyn and her husband, William.